2 July 2025
Golf has been a lifelong passion for Ōrewa resident Mike Grunsell (79) so when he wanted to fundraise for Harbour Hospice, starting a golf tournament was a no-brainer.
Once he retired, Mike set up the annual Tee Off For Hospice golf tournament at the Helensville Golf Club and it’s now in its 10th year. In that time, it has raised more than $200,000 for the charity although these days, Mike is more likely to be helping on the sausage sizzle than running the event.However, it is his legacy and next month he’ll be recognised for 10 years’ service at Hospice’s Long Service Awards as a valued volunteer.
Mike says he is happy to have made a difference. “Fundraising for Hospice was number one for me after I retired. It has cared for both my parents and one of my brothers, and I’ve had very good friends pass away in a hospice, too.”
He says he has fond memories of visiting mates in hospice care, and pulling a chair up to the bed to play cards.
“The nurses understood that we wanted to keep things light, not all doom and gloom. And at afternoon tea they’d always find extra sticky buns for us.”
Mike also volunteers for Hospice at their gift-wrapping station at the Silverdale Mall at Christmas time, or sits with their Trees of Remembrance. While there are often jokes at the gift-wrapping station about how to tackle some of the wrapping challenges, the mood at the Trees of Remembrance table is more sombre, he says.
“You know that people are thinking of their loved one as they write out their card and I am always very respectful of that. I like to give them that space.”
Mike would recommend volunteering for Hospice to anyone. “I think Hospice is great, because all the nurses and carers are very helpful. I don’t think people understand how much Hospice does.” Harbour Hospice cares for one in three people who are dying in the community and most hospice care is provided in the community, in people’s homes.
If you’re interested in volunteering for Harbour Hospice please email volunteer@harbourhospice.org.nz. There are many roles you can try if fundraising is not for you, from retail to helping in the kitchen to visiting patients and more.
This story was first published in the 16 June 2025 issue of Hibiscus Matters.
